Informatics Publishing Limited

A. Ravi Gopal ¹, M. R. Jeyan ², C. Asokane ², Anish Kumar ¹, B. Purnachandra Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 NDE Division, Metallurgy and Materials Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603102, IN
2 Instrumentation Development and Services Division, Fast Reactor Technology Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603102, IN

Abstract

Ultrasonic technique is useful for viewing the internals of sodium cooled fast reactors. Ultrasonic transducer is the key element to carry out ultrasonic viewing and inspection. Sodium compatible high temperature ultrasonic transducers are being developed for this application. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) crystal is used as active element. Nickel (Ni) face plate is used to facilitate sodium wetting at low temperatures. Bonding of the PZT crystal to the nickel faceplate is carried out by soldering/diffusion bonding techniques. Bond quality is important as it influences the performance of the transducer. Ascertaining the bond quality would help in fabricating high quality transducers. We have used under water ultrasonic C-scan imaging technique to assess the bond quality. In order to develop the technique, studies have been performed on a few transducers using reference defects introduced at the interface. Bond quality of the diffusion bonded high temperature transducers has been checked before and after exposure to high temperatures and the results are discussed in this paper.

Keywords

Ultrasonic Transducer, C-Scan Imaging, Beam Profile.

Full Text

   

T. Jayakumar ¹, Anish Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Metallurgy and Materials Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603102, IN

Abstract

The paper presents various studies carried out in the authors' laboratory for multi-scale microstructural characterization in different metallic structural materials such as nickel base alloys, zirconium alloys and titanium alloys through elastic properties. The elastic properties are evaluated at macroscale using ultrasonic velocity measurements and at micro/nano scale using atomic force acoustic microscopy. A thickness independent ultrasonic measurement based nondestructive methodology implemented for in-situ assessment of degradation of alloy 625 ammonia cracker tubes in heavy water plants is also discussed.

Keywords

Elastic Property, Ultrasonic Velocity, Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy, Microstructure.

Full Text

   

Prerna Jain ¹, Antra Andotra ¹, Aiman Aziz ¹, Prabhjot Kaur ¹, Anshika Mahajan ², Anish Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, IN
2 Department of Chemistry, Jammu University, Jammu, IN

Abstract

Waste water treatment is a vital component in any community, without which water borne disease pathogens can spread resulting in diseases. Moreover, water cannot be recycled to fulfil the requirement of growing population. Thus, this treatment is necessary to protect the human beings as well as aquatic living organisms from harmful diseases such as cholera, typhoid, etc. Different techniques have been applied for waste water treatment mainly activated sludge, induced gas flotation, ultraviolet disinfection and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). These techniques are cumbersome, time consuming and expensive. Thus, phytoremediation can be potent alternative of these techniques. Phytotremediation is a solar energy assisted clean up technique. Moreover, this technique has more ecologically advantageous as compared to other techniques. The present paper describes the morphology, mechanism, phytochemistry of certain plants that are mainly used for waste water treatment such as Scirpus species, Vetiver zizanioides, Eleocharis ochrostachys, Typha species, Pistia stratiotes, Lemma gibba, Phragmites communis, Hydrilla verticullata, Gracillaria gracilis, Ipomoea aquatic and Azolla pinnata. These plants readily facilitate absorption of nutrients that are in excess in addition to toxic elements such as lead, iron, copper, cadmium and mercury. The objective of the review is to sum up the literature of existing plants which was not used earlier for phytoremediation of waste water and to provide a baseline for new research alongside their usage in environmental clean up especially near pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords

Waste Water, Supercritical Water Oxidation, Phytoremediation, Toxicity.

Full Text